(click photo for full view)
The new Tinkering @ Leonardo's exhibit opened with much fanfare Friday, March 15. There were the board members, the director, the camera toting media, sponsors, kids, parents and even the Mayor of Enid himself.
The small but enthusiastic crowd was on hand at the 11:00 am grand opening and ribbon cutting to help usher in the new permanent exhibit which will now be a significant part of Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse. Julie Baird, executive director of Leonardo’s, watched as the Mayor and sponsor of the project cut the ribbon and she then declared the exhibit open.
The crowd was welcomed to try all of the different stations, all equipped with something to tinker with. It didn't take the kids long to hop on the stools in the tool area and start banging away. Even the adults enjoyed the magnetic wall and a sewing demonstration.
The tool area alone contains wooden blocks, hammers, saws, eye protection and several vises to hold each project. There were electronic gadgets to tinker with and enough tables and chairs to accommodate a slew of children. This area will quickly become a kid favorite as soon as they enter the door.
The exhibit area includes an awesome magnetic wall; sewing machine; circuits, bulbs and batteries; linkages and levers; earthquake shake table; tool table and tinkering studio. There are also tables with art supplies, toys and other building materials.
Speaking with one of the board members, we were informed that there are even more improvements and exhibits on the way. Look for improvements to the second and third floors which will add more square footage to the kids activities and create more warehouse options.
The title sponsor of the exhibit is the Oklahoma Museum Network funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. If the name sounds familiar it's because you may have seen or heard about the Tinkering Exhibit when it came to Enid earlier as a traveling exhibit. The sponsor of that exhibit was also the Oklahoma Museum Network.
Visit the website at leonardos.org or call 580-233-2787 for more information.
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